On September 18, 2001, an interracial group of ten friends, led by retired Pastor Liz Emrey, founded New Beginnings, a church that welcomed everyone, including LGBTQ+ individuals, addicts, alcoholics, ex-offenders, and their families. Within six months, the congregation grew to twenty-five and moved through several locations, eventually settling at 1130 East Market St. in 2014.

 

The church's tenets are Community, Discipleship, and Ministries, which are upheld through worship service every Sunday at 11 a.m., New Testament Bible Study with Pastor Brenda via Zoom on Wednesdays from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (passcode: 171155), the Food Ministry (now feeding 300 people four days a week), and Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

 

The church has been active in jail ministry, hosting a movable homeless shelter, and providing emergency assistance. As part of the American Baptist Churches, USA, we support flood victims, hurricane survivors, refugees, and social justice initiatives through the Interfaith Clergy Collective and IMPACT, working for equality and affordable housing for all.

​

​As American Baptists, we are a Christ-centered, Biblically grounded, ethnically diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ Jesus. Our commitment to Jesus propels us to nurture authentic relationships with one another, build healthy churches, transform our communities, our nations and our world, engage every member in hands-on ministry, and speak the prophetic word in love.